Log Lift Help Please

’bert said:

Hello all,

It's usually pretty cool here this time of year and therefore I do not do much wood processing. So this is when I pull my OPE into the shop and make sure it's all ready to giver when our gruelingly long 2 months of summer hit. This years project is to try and add a log lifter to my splitter.

So I am asking if anyone has done this, could you please post some pics of how you went about it - or at least the final product. I am not sure where to mount the cylinder so that everything moves freely.

Thank you in advance,

'bert

PS it's really nice here right now + 7 °C so I might go cut instead (or drink some beer outside) we see how it goes. :coolsmile:

Click to expand...

Older Model But Still Works

http://www.criticalbench.com/images/lauraphelps4.jpg


Installation is easy. Small Gold Band and it takes over. You'll know where to mount the cylinder.

Hey I think that's my next project too , right after I finish installing the wench on my 4 wheeler you know to lift and lower the plow blade and pull me out if I get stuck.

Did you buy a kit or doing i from scratch?? I'd love to have on e but the kit was expensive...

Jags,
that is a great idea for a lift . Harbor Freight had those winches on sale last week for $50. That is less than the cost of just a hydraulic valve.

Hello Bert,

I built my log splitter a few years ago with a log lift, which is a horizontal only design. There are a couple things you need to think about when adding a log lift if you are planning to utilize your hydraulic system. First you must purchase the correct valve which is a valve with "power beyond". You will connect your current valve and the new valve in a series. Take a look at the following website and look for the RD5100:

http://www.princehyd.com/Default.aspx?tabid=46

From the attached picture you can see how I mounted my log lift and cylinder to the beam. It is actually bolted to the beam with the ability to remove it if need be. I have autocad drawings as well if you need them. One nice thing about the log lift is when I'm splitting myself, I like to lift the log lift up about half way and stack 5-6 smaller logs (10"-12") on it then I can split those pretty quickly. Kind of a batch process. Hopefully this helps get you started, let me know if you need any more info.

Wait just a GD minute Jags- do you have a hinge/pivot welded to the beam on this thing? That is so friggin cool. That's like a $100 job with steel.

Honestly- I never saw a log lift in operation so I need to go youtube me up a video. I don't know that I need one as the problem logs are 40" long so it's vertical through the side (good back exercise no matter what LOL), but maybe I want one anyway just for the cool project points.

That's a good idea to incorporate an outfeed table to the log lift.

I have a troy bilt 33 ton does has anyone successfully added a lift to this machine? If so did you purchase a kit ? From where?
Thanks

Jags, That's a really freakin cool log lift. I plan on shamelessly copying your idea in a few days. I already have a winch and have thought about making a table for my splitter for a couple of years. I figure I can do double duty with the winch and use it for dragging heavy rounds over to the splitter (as long as I don't drag the splitter to the wood).

kwikrp said:

I have a troy bilt 33 ton does has anyone successfully added a lift to this machine? If so did you purchase a kit ? From where?
Thanks

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Thought that model could go vertical.?

For you guys wanting to incorporate a lift, could your splitter be modified to go vertical easier?'
Just curious.

Ja, if the round is too big to lift, I just swing the beam vertical. I've done that once or twice. A log lifter attached to the beam would get in the way of making it vertical. It would also put strain on the beam pivot. The pivot on my splitter is getting sloppy already and in need of attention.

Bert,

I was interested in what your hydraulic system looks like since you added your log lift. Did you put a T in the line coming from the pump to connect both valves? Is the pressure relief in the valve the same for both valves? The reason for asking, I was going to do that, althought the second valve I had on hand had a lower pressure relief (1500psi vs my ram valve of 2500psi). This would have caused my splitting tonage to drop down significantly, due to the lower pressure relief in the system. Looking forward to some pictures. Thanks, IHnum1.

I saw one on youtube a few days ago that used a cherry picker (engine hoist) and tongs.I would post a link but I cant find it now.
This is what Im going to do.

I looked at my splittah this morning and the wheels would be sort of in the way for a lift. Having the vertical option just about obviates the need, but it would be a fun project and would save some bending down. I split better than half a cord of pine (40" longish pieces) in 3 hours the other night. What a PITA that would be without the beast.

Maybe I'll just weld a cup holder on there and call it a day.

IHnum1 said:

Did you put a T in the line coming from the pump to connect both valves?

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That wouldn't work since the valves almost certainly are open centre. The way to do it with open centre valves is to daisy chain another open centre valve downstream.

gandrimp said:

I saw one on youtube a few days ago that used a cherry picker (engine hoist) and tongs.I would post a link but I cant find it now.
This is what Im going to do.

Click to expand...

Some good ideas on MTF including this one. Cool idea, what with the four-way it holds onto the remainder for resplitting.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showpost.php?p=655403&postcount=2